In the United States, a nation founded on principles of religious freedom, Catholic churches have increasingly become targets of vandalism, arson, and other forms of destruction. Since May 28, 2020—coinciding with the nationwide unrest following the death of George Floyd—there have been at least 521 documented attacks on Catholic churches across 43 states and the District of Columbia.
These incidents range from graffiti and smashed windows to severe acts of arson that have razed historic buildings to the ground. According to tracking by Catholic Vote, a faith-based advocacy organization, the assaults have not only persisted but escalated, particularly after the May 2022 leak of the Supreme Court's draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Since that leak, 355 of these attacks have occurred, many featuring pro-abortion messages scrawled on church property.
The surge in attacks reflects deeper societal tensions, including anti-Catholic sentiment, political polarization over issues like abortion, and broader cultural shifts. While some incidents stem from random vandalism, others appear motivated by ideological opposition to the Church's teachings. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has independently documented at least 360 such incidents since May 2020, corroborating the pattern with reports of arson, beheaded statues, defaced gravestones, and burned American flags.
Despite federal laws protecting houses of worship, arrests have been made in only about 30% of cases, raising concerns about inadequate law enforcement response.
The timeline begins in late May 2020, amid protests and riots sparked by George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. Catholic churches, symbols of institutional authority to some, were not spared. Initial incidents included smashed windows and graffiti, but arson quickly emerged as a devastating tactic. By the end of 2020, 60 attacks were recorded.
The following year saw 83 more, with a sharp increase to 143 in 2022 following the Dobbs leak.
This pattern continued: 108 in 2023, 86 in 2024, and 41 so far in 2025.
Geographically, the attacks are widespread but concentrated in certain states. California leads with 69 incidents, followed by New York (60), Pennsylvania (36), Texas (26), Florida (23), New Jersey (20), Ohio (18), Oregon (18), Colorado (17), and Massachusetts (16).
Urban areas like New York City (47 attacks) and Los Angeles (27) have become hotspots, suggesting a correlation with population density and political activism.
Many assaults occur under cover of night, with perpetrators using accelerants like gasoline to ignite fires, often targeting sanctuaries, altars, or historic structures.
Arson represents one of the most severe forms of these attacks, causing millions in damages and endangering lives. Here are several documented cases where Catholic churches were burned or subjected to arson attempts since May 2020, illustrating the human and cultural toll.
One early and brazen incident occurred on July 11, 2020, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida. A man drove a minivan through the church doors, poured gasoline in the foyer, and set it ablaze while parishioners prepared for Mass. The fire caused extensive damage, but quick action by congregants prevented injuries. The perpetrator was arrested and charged with attempted murder and arson, citing resentment toward organized religion.
In November 2020, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster, Washington, fell victim to an apparent arson attack. Flames engulfed the building, destroying much of the interior. This rural church, serving a small community, was left in ruins, forcing parishioners to hold services in temporary spaces. Investigators linked it to a wave of similar fires in the area, though no arrests were made immediately.
The year 2022 brought more destruction. On June 25, 2022, St. Colman Catholic Church in Shady Spring, West Virginia—a historic structure built in the early 20th century—was burned to the ground in a suspected arson. The fire erased a community landmark, with losses estimated at over $500,000. Local authorities investigated, but the motive remained unclear, though it coincided with heightened anti-Catholic rhetoric post-Dobbs.
Just days later, on June 30, 2022, St. Anthony of Padua School in Lorain, Ohio, affiliated with a Catholic parish, suffered an arson fire causing $1 million in damages. The blaze targeted classrooms and administrative areas, disrupting education for hundreds of students. A suspect was later arrested, but the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in church-affiliated institutions.
Arson continued into 2023. On May 23, 2023, a woman set fire to the outdoor chapel at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois, a popular pilgrimage site. The flames damaged religious statues and structures, but the shrine's significance amplified the emotional impact on the faithful. The perpetrator was arrested and charged with arson.
August 2023 saw multiple fires. On August 8, 2023, the deconsecrated Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wounded Knee, South Dakota, was destroyed in a suspected arson. This site, tied to Native American history, represented a loss of cultural heritage. Days later, on August 9, 2023, St. Rose Catholic Church in Sacramento, California, had multiple areas set ablaze, leading to a hate crime charge against the suspect.
On August 31, 2023, fire started in a dumpster at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem, Oregon, spread to the roof and sanctuary, causing significant damage. A suspect was arrested for arson.
In 2024, the trend persisted. On March 28, 2024, a man ignited the interior of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Verona, New Jersey, causing smoke and fire damage. He was taken into custody at the scene.
June 9, 2024, brought arson to St. Jerome Catholic Church in Maplewood, Minnesota, where an American flag and keyboard were set on fire inside. This incident, investigated as arson, occurred amid broader hostility, including a recent mass shooting at another Minnesota Catholic church.
On June 13, 2024, the rectory at Christ the Divine Parish in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was torched, badly damaging the priest's residence.
Recent cases include October 16, 2024, when Incarnation Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida, suffered its second fire in 16 months, with flames set at the altar in a temporary location.
On October 23, 2024, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Franklin, Massachusetts, experienced an intentional fire causing smoke damage throughout.
These examples underscore the physical and psychological harm: historic churches lost, communities displaced, and faith tested. Damages exceed $35 million in some estimates, but the intangible costs—fear among worshippers and erosion of sacred spaces—are immeasurable.
The attacks raise alarms about religious intolerance. Advocacy groups like Catholic Vote and the Family Research Council note a broader rise in hostility toward faith communities, with 415 church attacks across denominations in 2024 alone.
Critics argue the federal government has been slow to respond, despite laws like the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects places of worship. Letters to the Department of Justice in 2021 and 2024 went largely unheeded, with no federal prosecutions reported.
Some link the violence to anti-Catholic bias rooted in historical prejudices, exacerbated by modern debates on abortion and social issues. The low arrest rate—30%—suggests underprioritization, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity.
In response, church leaders urge vigilance, enhanced security, and community solidarity. Parishes have installed cameras, hired guards, and fostered interfaith dialogues. Yet, the persistence of these attacks challenges America's commitment to religious freedom.
As the nation grapples with division, these 521 incidents serve as a stark reminder: when sacred spaces burn, so does the fabric of society. Protecting them is not just a Catholic concern but a cornerstone of American values.
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.
